The Toronto Raptors have gotten off to yet another solid start to the 2017-18 NBA season at 11-6. However, after several disappointing exits from the playoffs, the Raptors are still looking to improve wherever they can to help them take that next step in the Eastern Conference.

One of their little-known player projects that have started to make waves is second-year forward Pascal Siakam. According to TSN Raptors Reporter Josh Lewenberg, Siakam's improved play this year has spurred head coach Dwayne Casey to find a healthy portion of minutes for him.

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“Pascal is one of those guys [whose] energy level, his motor, is an NBA skill,” Casey said. “And it goes and goes and goes. Even just messing around [in practice] he goes 100 miles an hour. So that’s the gift that he has. That’s something that’s natural for him.”

There is nothing that particularly stands out about Siakam's overall game, however, what he lacks in flash he makes up for in pure hustle. It was his high level of energy that made him an immediate starter for the Raptors during his rookie season.

However, he largely fell out of the rotation once Toronto acquired power forward Serge Ibaka. Fortunately, Pascal Siakam has made some nice strides this year and could potentially be poised to fill the same role as former hustle man and now-Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo.